5 Ways to Avoid MRI Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is one of the biggest hinderance to getting an MRI scan.

In addition, MRI scans are long, making it quite an arduous endeavor!

Here are 5 ways that I prevent MRI claustrophobia.

MAXIMUM AIR FLOW

Ask the MRI technician for maximum air flow.  The stream of air through the MRI makes me feel less stuffy, and it creates the sense that I'm in a very open space.

NOTHING AROUND HEAD

When I get an MRI head scan, the technician often stuffs sponges or cloth around my head to keep it from moving.  I've found that makes me feel claustrophobic.  Ask for no sponges or cloth around head, but you have to promise to keep your head still!

CLOSE EYES

The #1 thing to do is to close your eyes immediately when the bed starts moving in.  Having gone through more than 20 MRI scans, I have never seen the inside of an MRI machine.  When the bed starts moving in, I close my eyes and they remain closed until the bed moves back out into the bright room.

THINK ABOUT OUTDOORS

While I am in the MRI machine, I think about lying in a meadow with flowers and relaxing thoughts.  This helps to dispel the claustrophobic feelings.

THINK ABOUT MRI BENEFITS

There have been times when I almost could not stand being in the MRI anymore, with the loud jack hammer noises in an enclosed space.  To make it bearable, I think about how wonderful MRI technology is: we can see the inside of our body non-invasively!  That is quite remarkable!  With this thankful thought, an even longer or louder scan becomes welcome!

 With these 5 tips, you'll become an MRI pro in no time!